Justin Hardy

Despite finding the end zone four times in 2016, many people expected more out of Hardy last season. In the pass-happy offense, fantasy owners hoped Hardy would be the beneficiary of the extra attenti...

When Roddy White was released in early March, it appeared that Hardy would become the de facto starter across from Julio Jones, but the Falcons decided to make a move and sign Mohamed Sanu during free agency just a few days later. Sanu is now expected to handle the second wide receiver duties, while Hardy likely will be moved to the slot. Hardy can certainly be efficient in that role, and there's little reason to think he won't improve on a 21-catch, 194-yard rookie season.

2015

Nobody has caught more balls (387) in FBS history than Hardy (who the Falcons selected with their fourth-round pick in this year’s draft) did in his four years at East Carolina. Few doubt Hardy’s talent, but he steps into an offense with two solid starters and a group of receivers looking to prove their worth. Julio Jones and Roddy White are the Week 1 starters, but Hardy has the opportunity to move into the third receiver slot with an effective preseason. That said, he’ll need to beat out Devin Hester - who tallied more than 500 yards last season - and Leonard Hankerson, who signed with the Falcons on a one-year deal this offseason. If he can beat out the pair, the rookie wideout could blossom into a nice receiving threat similar to the Packers’ Davante Adams in his 2014 rookie campaign.